Rebar separator

ABSTRACT

A rebar separator having a crossbar situated atop one or, preferably, two vibrational insulators which are preferably inflatable cushions. Preferably, there are two or more such crossbars on one or two inflatable cushions. At least one vibrational motor is in contact with at least one crossbar. And preferably each crossbar slopes from a first end to a second end. A source of fluid is in communication with each inflatable cushion. Preferably, the vibrational insulators are placed on top of first and second longitudinal channels of a horizontal rack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a device for separating rebar fromtangled bundles of rebar.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Rebar comprises the elongated cylindrical steel rods which areplaced within concrete to reinforce such concrete.

[0005] The rods of rebar come in bundles and often become entangled withone another.

[0006] At a facility which cuts and, on occasion, bends the rebar tomake it suitable for particular purposes, a bundle of rebar is placedupon a horizontal rack. Then, after removing the straps which hold thebundle together, an individual manually grasps and shakes one rod at atime until it is loosened from the other rods. Such rod is then moved toa portion of the horizontal rack which can have one edge lowered to dumpthe separated rod onto rollers to be transported for measuring andcutting.

[0007] The only prior non-manual separator for rebar of which thepresent inventor is aware is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,995.That separator utilizes a “blade-like member 55” that is movedlongitudinally with respect to the rebar. Apparently, it is insertedbetween two intertwined pieces of rebar and then moved longitudinally.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The Rebar Separator of the present invention isolates one or morecrossbars from a rack used to hold rebar and utilizes a motor to vibratesuch crossbars. Such vibration tends to separate rods of rebar that aretangled with one another when initially placed upon the crossbars.

[0009] The crossbars are placed atop horizontal racks that aretraditionally used to hold rebar and are isolated from such racks bycushions which can be filled with fluid, preferably, air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a crossbar placed atop two cushions resting ontwo inflatable cushions atop longitudinal channels of a horizontal rack.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first inflatable cushion.

[0012]FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional view of a second inflatablecushion, with the aperture in an alternate location from that in theembodiment of FIG. 2.

[0013]FIG. 4 portrays, in cross-sectional view, a first longitudinalchannel in fluid communication both with a first inflatable cushion anda source of fluid and a second longitudinal channel in fluidcommunication both with a first inflatable cushion and a source offluid.

[0014]FIG. 5 shows a first branched, hollow line inserted, with fluidcommunication, between a first longitudinal channel and several firstinflatable cushions.

[0015]FIG. 6 illustrates a second branched, hollow line inserted, withfluid communication, between a second longitudinal channel and severalsecond inflatable cushions.

[0016]FIG. 7 shows hollow lines replacing the first and secondlongitudinal channels in the embodiment of FIG. 4, for the purpose ofsupplying fluid.

[0017]FIG. 8 depicts a substantially rigid torsion bar attached toseveral crossbars.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the Rebar Separator has a crossbar 1that is placed atop a first vibrational insulator, preferably aninflatable cushion, 2 and, preferably, also atop a second vibrationalinsulator, preferably an inflatable cushion, 3. The first cushion 2 ispreferably located on top of a first longitudinal channel 4 of ahorizontal rack 5; the second cushion 3 is preferably located on top ofa second longitudinal channel 6 of the horizontal rack 5.

[0019] The first cushion 2 contains an aperture 7, depicted in FIG. 2,which aperture 7 communicates with the interior 8 of the firstinflatable cushion 2. Similarly, the second cushion 3 contains anaperture 9, depicted in FIG. 3, which aperture 9 communicates with theinterior 10 of the second inflatable cushion 3.

[0020] A fluid, preferably air, is provided to, and withdrawn from, thefirst inflatable cushion 2 through aperture 7. Similarly, a fluid,preferably air, is provided to, and withdrawn from, the secondinflatable cushion 3 through aperture 9.

[0021] If the first longitudinal channel 4 is hollow, such firstlongitudinal channel 4 is, as shown in FIG. 4, in fluid communicationwith a source 11 of fluid and contains an aperture 12 in fluidcommunication with the aperture 7 of the first inflatable cushion 2 ofassociated with each given crossbar 1 (since it is preferable to employtwo or more crossbars 1 on each horizontal rack 5). A valve 13 ispreferably inserted between the aperture 12 and the correspondingaperture 7 to control the flow of fluid into or from the firstinflatable cushion 2. And, even more preferably, as illustrated in FIG.5, a first hollow tube 14 has a first end 15 attached to, and in fluidcommunication with, the valve 13, which, in such option, is fluidically,but not necessarily physically, between the aperture 12 and theapertures 7. (Also, in such option, the location of the aperture 12 isnot necessarily the same as when the valve 13 is physically betweenaperture 12 and aperture 7.) The first hollow tube 14 branches in orderto have two or more, preferably three, second ends 16 with each of thesecond ends 16 connected to, and in fluid communication with, anaperture 7 of a first inflatable cushion 2.

[0022] Similarly, if the second longitudinal channel 6 is hollow, suchsecond longitudinal channel 6 is, as shown in FIG. 4, in fluidcommunication with a source 11 of fluid and contains an aperture 17 influid communication with the aperture 9 of the second inflatable cushion3 associated with each given crossbar 1 (since it is preferable toemploy two or more crossbars 1 on each horizontal rack 5). A valve 18 ispreferably inserted between an aperture 17 and the correspondingaperture 9 to control the flow of fluid into or from the secondinflatable cushion 3. And, even more preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, asecond hollow tube 19 has a first end 20 attached to, and in fluidcommunication with, the valve 18, which, in such option, is fluidically,but not necessarily, physically between the aperture 17 and theapertures 9. (Also, in such option, the location of the aperture 17 isnot necessarily the same as when the valve 18 is physically betweenaperture 17 and an aperture 9). The second hollow tube 19 branches inorder to have two or more, preferably three, second ends 21 with each ofthe second ends 21 connected to, and in fluid communication with, anaperture 9 of a second inflatable cushion 3.

[0023] Optionally, as portrayed in FIG. 7, the first longitudinalchannel 4 can, for the purpose of supplying fluid, be replaced by afirst hollow tube 22; and the second longitudinal channel 6 can, for thepurpose of supplying fluid, be replaced by a second hollow tube 23.

[0024] Also in contact with, and preferably attached to, the crossbar 1is a vibrational motor 24. The vibrational motor can be located anywhereon the crossbar 1 that will not impede the movements of rods of rebar,which are to be placed on the top 25 of the crossbar 1, making thebottom 26 of the crossbar between the first inflatable cushion 2 and thesecond inflatable cushion 3 the preferred location for the vibrationalmotor 24, as seen in FIG. 1. When several crossbars 1 are employed on agiven horizontal rack 5, it is, however, not necessary to have avibrational motor attached to each crossbar 1.

[0025] Optionally, a substantially rigid torsion bar 27 is, as depictedin FIG. 8, attached to one or more, and preferably each, crossbar 1, inorder to increase the uniformity of vibration of the crossbars 1.Substantially, in this context, means that the amount the rigid torsionbar 27 moves under force is only such that one of ordinary skill in thefield would consider the torsion bar 27 to be rigid.

[0026] Preferably, the top 25 of the crossbar 1 slants downward from afirst end 28 of the crossbar 1 to a second end 29 of the crossbar 1 inorder to encourage the rods of rebar to move toward the second end 29 ofthe crossbar 1 when the vibrational motor 24 is activated, although thedirection of movement of such rods tends to reverse when the vibrationalmotor 24 is operated in a reverse direction.

[0027] Also, the second inflatable cushion 3 can be inflated less thatthe first inflatable cushion 2 in order to increase the tendency of therods of rebar to move toward the second end 29 of the crossbar 1.

[0028] Preferably, the crossbar 1 is made of metal; and, optionally, alayer 30 that is softer than metal can be placed on the top 25 of thecrossbar 1 in order to protect the rods of rebar. A preferred materialfrom which the layer 30 is made is ultra-high-weight molecular plastic(UHWM).

[0029] As used herein the term “preferable” or “preferably” means that aspecified element or technique is more acceptable than another but notthat such specified element or technique is a necessity.

We claim:
 1. A rebar separator, which comprises: a crossbar; a firstvibrational insulator under said crossbar; and a vibrational motor incontact with said crossbar.
 2. The rebar separator as recited in claim1, further comprising: a second vibrational insulator under saidcrossbar.
 3. The rebar separator as recited in claim 2, wherein: saidsecond vibrational insulator is an inflatable cushion.
 4. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 3, further comprising: a source of fluidin fluid communication with said second vibrational insulator.
 5. Therebar separator as recited in claim 2, wherein: each of any said firstvibrational insulators is an inflatable cushion.
 6. The rebar separatoras recited in claim 5, wherein: said second vibrational insulator is aninflatable cushion.
 7. The rebar separator as recited in claim 5,further comprising: a source of fluid in fluid communication with eachof said first and second vibrational insulators that is an inflatablecushion.
 8. The rebar separator as recited in claim 7, wherein: saidsecond vibrational insulator is an inflatable cushion.
 9. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 7, wherein: each member of the groupconsisting of said crossbar and any additional crossbar has a top, afirst end, and a second end, said crossbar slanting downward from thefirst end of said crossbar to the second end of said crossbar.
 10. Therebar separator as recited in claim 9, wherein: said second vibrationalinsulator is an inflatable cushion.
 11. The rebar separator as recitedin claim 9, further comprising: one or more additional crossbars; and atleast a first vibrational insulator under each of said additionalcrossbars.
 12. The rebar separator as recited in claim 11, furthercomprising: a substantially rigid torsion bar attached to one or more ofeach member of the group consisting of said crossbar and said additionalcrossbars.
 13. The rebar separator as recited in claim 12, furthercomprising: at least one additional vibrational motor in contact with atleast one of said additional crossbars.
 14. The rebar separator asrecited in claim 11, further comprising: at least one additionalvibrational motor in contact with at least one of said additionalcrossbars.
 15. The rebar separator as recited in claim 11, wherein: eachof any said second vibrational insulators is an inflatable cushion. 16.The rebar separator as recited in claim 15, further comprising: asubstantially rigid torsion bar attached to one or more of each memberof the group consisting of said crossbar and said additional crossbars.17. The rebar separator as recited in claim 16, further comprising: atleast one additional vibrational motor in contact with at least one ofsaid additional crossbars.
 18. The rebar separator as recited in claim15, further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motor incontact with at least one of said additional crossbars.
 19. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 7, further comprising: one or moreadditional crossbars; and at least a first vibrational insulator undereach of said additional crossbars.
 20. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 19, further comprising: a substantially rigid torsion bar attachedto one or more of each member of the group consisting of said crossbarand said additional crossbars.
 21. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 20, further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motorin contact with at least one of said additional crossbars.
 22. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 19, further comprising: at least oneadditional vibrational motor in contact with at least one of saidadditional crossbars.
 23. The rebar separator as recited in claim 19,wherein: each of any said second vibrational insulators is an inflatablecushion.
 24. The rebar separator as recited in claim 23, furthercomprising: a substantially rigid torsion bar attached to one or more ofeach member of the group consisting of said crossbar and said additionalcrossbars.
 25. The rebar separator as recited in claim 24, furthercomprising: at least one additional vibrational motor in contact with atleast one of said additional crossbars.
 26. The rebar separator asrecited in claim 23, further comprising: at least one additionalvibrational motor in contact with at least one of said additionalcrossbars.
 27. The rebar separator as recited in claim 5, wherein: eachmember of the group consisting of said crossbar and any additionalcrossbar has a top, a first end, and a second end, said crossbarslanting downward from the first end of said crossbar to the second endof said crossbar.
 28. The rebar separator as recited in claim 27,wherein: said second vibrational insulator is an inflatable cushion. 29.The rebar separator as recited in claim 27, further comprising: one ormore additional crossbars; and at least a first vibrational insulatorunder each of said additional crossbars.
 30. The rebar separator asrecited in claim 29, further comprising: a substantially rigid torsionbar attached to one or more of each member of the group consisting ofsaid crossbar and said additional crossbars.
 31. The rebar separator asrecited in claim 30, further comprising: at least one additionalvibrational motor in contact with at least one of said additionalcrossbars.
 32. The rebar separator as recited in claim 29, furthercomprising: at least one additional vibrational motor in contact with atleast one of said additional crossbars.
 33. The rebar separator asrecited in claim 29, wherein: each of any said said second vibrationalinsulators is an inflatable cushion.
 34. The rebar separator as recitedin claim 33, further comprising: a substantially rigid torsion barattached to one or more of each member of the group consisting of saidcrossbar and said additional crossbars.
 35. The rebar separator asrecited in claim 34, further comprising: at least one additionalvibrational motor in contact with at least one of said additionalcrossbars.
 36. The rebar separator as recited in claim 33, furthercomprising: at least one additional vibrational motor in contact with atleast one of said additional crossbars.
 37. The rebar separator asrecited in claim 5, further comprising: one or more additionalcrossbars; and at least a first vibrational insulator under each of saidadditional crossbars.
 38. The rebar separator as recited in claim 37,further comprising: a substantially rigid torsion bar attached to one ormore of each member of the group consisting of said crossbar and saidadditional crossbars.
 39. The rebar separator as recited in claim 38,further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motor in contactwith at least one of said additional crossbars.
 40. The rebar separatoras recited in claim 37, further comprising: at least one additionalvibrational motor in contact with at least one of said additionalcrossbars.
 41. The rebar separator as recited in claim 37, wherein: eachof any said second vibrational insulators is an inflatable cushion. 42.The rebar separator as recited in claim 41, further comprising: asubstantially rigid torsion bar attached to one or more of each memberof the group consisting of said crossbar and said additional crossbars.43. The rebar separator as recited in claim 42, further comprising: atleast one additional vibrational motor in contact with at least one ofsaid additional crossbars.
 44. The rebar separator as recited in claim41, further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motor incontact with at least one of said additional crossbars.
 45. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 2, wherein: each member of the groupconsisting of said crossbar and any additional crossbar has a top, afirst end, and a second end, said crossbar slanting downward from thefirst end of said crossbar to the second end of said crossbar.
 46. Therebar separator as recited in claim 45, wherein: said second vibrationalinsulator is an inflatable cushion.
 47. The rebar separator as recitedin claim 46, further comprising: a source of fluid in fluidcommunication with said second vibrational insulator.
 48. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 45, further comprising: one or moreadditional crossbars; and at least a first vibrational insulator undereach of said additional crossbars.
 49. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 48, further comprising: a substantially rigid torsion bar attachedto one or more of each member of the group consisting of said crossbarand said additional crossbars.
 50. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 49, further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motorin contact with at least one of said additional crossbars.
 51. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 48, further comprising: at least oneadditional vibrational motor in contact with at least one of saidadditional crossbars.
 52. The rebar separator as recited in claim 48,wherein: each of any said second vibrational insulators is an inflatablecushion.
 53. The rebar separator as recited in claim 52, furthercomprising: a source of fluid in fluid communication with each of saidsecond vibrational insulators.
 54. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 52, further comprising: a substantially rigid torsion bar attachedto one or more of each member of the group consisting of said crossbarand said additional crossbars.
 55. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 54, further comprising: a source of fluid in fluid communicationwith each of said second vibrational insulators.
 56. The rebar separatoras recited in claim 54, further comprising: at least one additionalvibrational motor in contact with at least one of said additionalcrossbars.
 57. The rebar separator as recited in claim 56, furthercomprising: a source of fluid in fluid communication with each of saidsecond vibrational insulators.
 58. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 52, further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motorin contact with at least one of said additional crossbars.
 59. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 58, further comprising: a source of fluidin fluid communication with each of said second vibrational insulators.60. The rebar separator as recited in claim 2, further comprising: oneor more additional crossbars; and at least a first vibrational insulatorunder each of said additional crossbars.
 61. The rebar separator asrecited in claim 60, further comprising: a substantially rigid torsionbar attached to one or more of each member of the group consisting ofsaid crossbar and said additional crossbars.
 62. The rebar separator asrecited in claim 61, further comprising: at least one additionalvibrational motor in contact with at least one of said additionalcrossbars.
 63. The rebar separator as recited in claim 60, furthercomprising: at least one additional vibrational motor in contact with atleast one of said additional crossbars.
 64. The rebar separator asrecited in claim 60, wherein: each of any said second vibrationalinsulators is an inflatable cushion.
 65. The rebar separator as recitedin claim 64, further comprising: a source of fluid in fluidcommunication with each of said second vibrational insulators.
 66. Therebar separator as recited in claim 64, further comprising: asubstantially rigid torsion bar attached to one or more of each memberof the group consisting of said crossbar and said additional crossbars.67. The rebar separator as recited in claim 66, further comprising: asource of fluid in fluid communication with each of said secondvibrational insulators.
 68. The rebar separator as recited in claim 66,further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motor in contactwith at least one of said additional crossbars.
 69. The rebar separatoras recited in claim 68, further comprising: a source of fluid in fluidcommunication with each of said second vibrational insulators.
 70. Therebar separator as recited in claim 64, further comprising: at least oneadditional vibrational motor in contact with at least one of saidadditional crossbars.
 71. The rebar separator as recited in claim 70,further comprising: a source of fluid in fluid communication with eachof said second vibrational insulators.
 72. The rebar separator asrecited in claim 1, wherein: each of any said first vibrationalinsulators is an inflatable cushion.
 73. The rebar separator as recitedin claim 72, further comprising: a source of fluid in fluidcommunication with each of said first vibrational insulators.
 74. Therebar separator as recited in claim 73, wherein: each member of thegroup consisting of said crossbar and any additional crossbar has a top,a first end, and a second end, said crossbar slanting downward from thefirst end of said crossbar to the second end of said crossbar.
 75. Therebar separator as recited in claim 74, further comprising: one or moreadditional crossbars; and at least a first vibrational insulator undereach of said additional crossbars.
 76. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 75, further comprising: a substantially rigid torsion bar attachedto one or more of each member of the group consisting of said crossbarand said additional crossbars.
 77. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 76, further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motorin contact with at least one of said additional crossbars.
 78. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 75, further comprising: at least oneadditional vibrational motor in contact with at least one of saidadditional crossbars.
 79. The rebar separator as recited in claim 73,further comprising: one or more additional crossbars; and at least afirst vibrational insulator under each of said additional crossbars. 80.The rebar separator as recited in claim 79, further comprising: asubstantially rigid torsion bar attached to one or more of each memberof the group consisting of said crossbar and said additional crossbars.81. The rebar separator as recited in claim 80, further comprising: atleast one additional vibrational motor in contact with at least one ofsaid additional crossbars.
 82. The rebar separator as recited in claim79, further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motor incontact with at least one of said additional crossbars.
 83. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 72, wherein: each member of the groupconsisting of said crossbar and any additional crossbar has a top, afirst end, and a second end, said crossbar slanting downward from thefirst end of said crossbar to the second end of said crossbar.
 84. Therebar separator as recited in claim 83, further comprising: one or moreadditional crossbars; and at least a first vibrational insulator undereach of said additional crossbars.
 85. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 84, further comprising: a substantially rigid torsion bar attachedto one or more of each member of the group consisting of said crossbarand said additional crossbars.
 86. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 85, further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motorin contact with at least one of said additional crossbars.
 87. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 84, further comprising: at least oneadditional vibrational motor in contact with at least one of saidadditional crossbars.
 88. The rebar separator as recited in claim 72,further comprising: one or more additional crossbars; and at least afirst vibrational insulator under each of said additional crossbars. 89.The rebar separator as recited in claim 88, further comprising: asubstantially rigid torsion bar attached to one or more of each memberof the group consisting of said crossbar and said additional crossbars.90. The rebar separator as recited in claim 89, further comprising: atleast one additional vibrational motor in contact with at least one ofsaid additional crossbars.
 91. The rebar separator as recited in claim88, further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motor incontact with at least one of said additional crossbars.
 92. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 1, wherein: each member of the groupconsisting of said crossbar and any additional crossbar has a top, afirst end, and a second end, said crossbar slanting downward from thefirst end of said crossbar to the second end of said crossbar.
 93. Therebar separator as recited in claim 92, further comprising: one or moreadditional crossbars; and at least a first vibrational insulator undereach of said additional crossbars.
 94. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 93, further comprising: a substantially rigid torsion bar attachedto one or more of each member of the group consisting of said crossbarand said additional crossbars.
 95. The rebar separator as recited inclaim 94, further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motorin contact with at least one of said additional crossbars.
 96. The rebarseparator as recited in claim 93, further comprising: at least oneadditional vibrational motor in contact with at least one of saidadditional crossbars.
 97. The rebar separator as recited in claim 1,further comprising: one or more additional crossbars; and at least afirst vibrational insulator under each of said additional crossbars. 98.The rebar separator as recited in claim 97, further comprising: asubstantially rigid torsion bar attached to one or more of each memberof the group consisting of said crossbar and said additional crossbars.99. The rebar separator as recited in claim 98, further comprising: atleast one additional vibrational motor in contact with at least one ofsaid additional crossbars.
 100. The rebar separator as recited in claim97, further comprising: at least one additional vibrational motor incontact with at least one of said additional crossbars.
 101. A rebarseparator, which comprises: two or more crossbars, each of saidcrossbars having a top, a first end, and a second end and each of saidcrossbars slanting downward from the first end of each of said crossbarsto the second end of each of said crossbars; a first inflatable cushionunder each of said crossbars; a second inflatable cushion under each ofsaid crossbars; one or more vibrational motors with each of saidvibrational motors in contact with at least one of said crossbars; asource of fluid; and a horizontal rack having a first longitudinalchannel in fluid communication with said source of fluid and with eachof said first inflatable cushions and also having a second longitudinalchannel in fluid communication with said source of fluid and with eachof said second inflatable cushions wherein each of said first inflatablecushions is located on top of the first longitudinal channel of saidhorizontal rack and each of said second inflatable cushions is locatedon top of the second longitudinal channel of said horizontal rack. 102.A rebar separator, which comprises: two or more crossbars, each of saidcrossbars having a top, a first end, and a second end and each of saidcrossbars slanting downward from the first end of each of said crossbarsto the second end of each of said crossbars; a first inflatable cushionunder each of said crossbars; a second inflatable cushion under each ofsaid crossbars; one or more vibrational motors with each of saidvibrational motors in contact with at least one of said crossbars; asource of fluid; a horizontal rack having a first longitudinal channeland also having a second longitudinal channel, wherein each of saidfirst inflatable cushions is located on top of the first longitudinalchannel of said horizontal rack and each of said second inflatablecushions is located on top of the second longitudinal channel of saidhorizontal rack; a first hollow tube in fluid communication with saidsource of fluid and with each of said first inflatable cushions; and asecond hollow tube in fluid communication with said source of fluid andwith each of said second inflatable cushions.